Insulin Pump/ Blind And Visually Impaired

[MsDisney23]

HELLO EVERYONE,

FIRST OFF PLEASE I AM NOT SHOUTING, I AM VERY VISUALLY IMPAIRED FROM DIABETIES. I AM 41 AND HAVE BEEN ON INSULIN SINCE I WAS AGE 21/2. LONG TIME. I HAVE BEEN ON AN INSULIN PUMP FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW. THIS COMING NOV. WILL BE MY FIRST TRIP BACK TO WDW SINCE BEING ON THE PUMP AND LOSING MOST OF MY EYE SIGHT. I HAVE UNDERWENT 19 MAJOR EYE OPERATIONS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I WAS COMPLETELY BLIND IN LEFT EYE, AND WAS VERY BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME OF MY VISION RESTORED. I CAN NOT SEE WELL AT NIGHT TIME, AND SOME OF THE RIDES ARE VERY DARK, SO AT NIGHT I DO USE A EYE CANE TO HELP GUIDE ME. I HAVE SPECIAL GLASSES NOW AS WELL.

LIKE SOME OF YOU, I HAVE IN THE PAST USED THE SPECIAL SEATING AREA IN WDW, AND WAS ASKED BY A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO LEAVE THE AREA, AS SHE HAD RESERVED THESE SEATS FOR HER FAMILY , WHILE THEY WHERE OUT IN THE PARK AT MGM, TO SEE THE FANTASMIC SHOW. A CM CAME OVER AND NICELY TOLD THE LADY THAT HER FAMILY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE AS I HAD A RIGHT TO BE THERE, AS I ALSO HAD A DISABILITY. EVEN THOUGH SHE COULD NOT SEE IT!

I KNOW ALOT OF DIABETIC'S SEEM TO HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE PARKS. HERE IS SOME HELPFUL ADVICE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU.

#1 ALWAYS WEAR A MEDICAL ID BRACLET.
#2 IF YOU ARE BOOKING THROUGH THE DISNEY COMPANY ASK FOR THE "RESORT SPECILAL NEEDS RESERVATIONS" THEY WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU ALSO GET A FREE FRIDGE IN YOUR ROOM FOR YOUR INSULIN.
#3. ALWAYS CARING WITH YOU GLUCOSE TABLET'S AND I HAVE FOUND THAT SKITTLES CANDY DOES NOT MELT IN ANY HEAT AS THEY HAVE A GEL LIKE INSIDE AND REACTS FAST TO LOW BLOOD SUGARS. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS HARD TO SOMETIMES GET TO SOMETHING FAST TO EAT AT THE FAST COUNTER WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING INTO A LOW. ALSO YOU CAN KEEP YOUR INSULIN AT THE FIRST AID STATION. I FIND THIS HARD, BECAUSE IF YOU ARE AT ONE SIDE OF THE PARK, THAT MEANS A LONG TRIP BACK TO GET THE INSULIN. THERE IS A COMPANY THAT SELLS AN INSULIN PACK BAG, WHICH I USE FOR MY PUMP AND INSULIN. MY INSULIN IS NOW COLD ALL DAY AND NIGHT, AND NOW MORE LONG TRIPS BACK TO FIRST AID. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT I CAN USE THE HANDICAP BATHROOM TO TAKE MY INSULIN. I NO LONGER NEED TO THAT SINCE I AM ON THE PUMP AND NOW ONLY HAVE TO HIT SOME BUTTONS. HERE IS THE SITE FOR THE INSULIN STORGAE BAG. WWW.FRIOUK.COM HOPE I DO NOT INTO TROUBLE FOR POSTING THAT..

#4. I ALOS COUNT CARBS WHICH I KNOW ALOT OF YOU DO. HERE IS A POCKET SIZE BOOK THAT CAN BE ORDERED FROM AMAZION OR YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE. CALORIE KING CARB COUNTER. I LOVE THIS BOOK AS IT ALSO LIST ALOT OF FAST FOOD RESTARANTS AS WELL AS ALMOST ANY FOOD YOU CAN THINK OF.

#5. GUEST ASSISTANCE PASS. GET IT USE IT!

#6. SMILE ENJOY LIFE AND HAVE FUN AT DISNEY.

I HOPE I WAS ABLE TO HELP SOME OF YOU FELLOW DIABETIC'S. THE ONE KEY IS TO BE PREPARED. I ALWAYS START MY DAY WITH A HEALTH BREAKFAST.

HUG'S AND MAY THERE BE A CURE SOMEDAY.

KITTY XOXOXO

 

[Talking Hands]

Good reminders. Most diabetics should not have problems at Disney.
Another tip is if you use Splenda take it with you because they do not have it. Only the pink and blue but not the yellow stuff.
Also I use the gel icing for lows as it keeps well in the tubes and is not messy.
I also recommend the Frio bags. Excellent! Or you can make your own from the gel crystals that you get at Gardening Stores.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have also been asked to move at Fantasmic when I parked my wheelchair chose to sit in a seat. I am also hearing impaired and needed the reflective captioning. Sorry that is a special need as well. We just have to educate those who don't know about hidden disabilities.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome MsDisney and thanks for posting all your hints.

LIKE SOME OF YOU, I HAVE IN THE PAST USED THE SPECIAL SEATING AREA IN WDW, AND WAS ASKED BY A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO LEAVE THE AREA, AS SHE HAD RESERVED THESE SEATS FOR HER FAMILY , WHILE THEY WHERE OUT IN THE PARK AT MGM, TO SEE THE FANTASMIC SHOW. A CM CAME OVER AND NICELY TOLD THE LADY THAT HER FAMILY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE AS I HAD A RIGHT TO BE THERE, AS I ALSO HAD A DISABILITY. EVEN
THOUGH SHE COULD NOT SEE IT!

I don't think some people understand that the seats not reserved. We were even told at Illuminations once that if it became too busy, the person with a disability and one companion could stay and the rest of our party would have to find a place outside the handicapped area.

 

[Mskanga]

GREAT ADVICE MSDISNEY ( NOT SCREAMING EITHER ) JUST MAKING IT A BIT EASIER FOR YOU TO READ. THANK YOU.
SHAME ON THOSE WHO WANTED TO TAKE YOUR SPOT FOR VIEWING THE PARADE, I GAVE UP MU SPOT ONCE TO A FAMILY WITH A LITTLE GIRL IN A WHEELCHAIR FROM ENGLAND , THE MOTHER CRIED WATCHING HER LITTLE GIRL'S FACE LIGHT UP , I DID TOO AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEM BUT AT THE END OF THE PARADE THE MOTHER GAVE ME A BIG HUG, THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TRIP. I STOOD UP BEHIND THEM THE ENTIRE PARADE BUT I ENJOYED JUST WATCHING THEIR FACES.